Page 101 of Ask Me Something

I smiled, taking in her impeccable taste in fashion with her stunning black-and-white checked dress and four-inch heels. “Thank you. You look amazing, Catherine. I love the dress and have you lost weight?” Not that she needed to, but she looked slimmer than the last time I’d seen her.

“Thank you. The irony of a divorce and then having him remarry quickly is that you may feel like shit, but you tend to look good because you aren’t eating or going out as much. Of course, the minute you’re happily in a relationship you gain those few pounds back.”

I grinned at the thought. I fluctuated a couple of pounds every time I spent a weekend with Brian. “Have you gone out on any dates since the speed dating night?”

“Nope. It’s been a virtual desert of dating activity. But how about you? How are things with Brian?”

I shrugged. “A few days ago we were in paradise, and I would’ve told you things were great. But then we had to cut it short for a work meeting, and I got lectured from my boss.” I sighed. “It’s difficult to balance the two, but I know he has the same issue. And it wasn’t like I didn’t deserve it, which only made it harder to hear.”

“Why did he lecture you?” she questioned.

I relayed the details of Vanessa and our encounters. We ordered our drinks and salads, and I saw her consider my words.

“Women like that piss me off, but unfortunately, it’s more the norm than not. Like it isn’t hard enough in a predominantly male workplace, we women have to go and cut one another down.”

I nodded. I might not be the friendliest woman in the world, but I definitely didn’t bring other women down unless they duly deserved it. I knew how it felt and loathed that kind of pettiness. “It pains me to say it, but Brian is right about it being business and needing to put the personal shit away. The thing that sucks is I hate that part. I’m great in leading a pitch and doing all of the research, but the client relations—Ugh. I could use some advice.”

She looked surprised, and then her eyes were sympathetic. “My best advice would be to go into every meeting knowing that she’ll make passive-aggressive comments and ignore them. Almost like you don’t catch on or didn’t hear them. If you raise a brow, stare her down, or flinch, she’ll know she’s gotten to you and consider it a challenge. If you ignore them, either she’ll think it’s not worth the effort because you aren’t rising to the bait, or she’s going to get more aggressive.”

I sipped on my martini. “What if she does get more aggressive?” I already knew Vanessa would most likely be the type.

She contemplated. “Hopefully by then she’s making herself look unprofessional, but watch when you’re alone with her. A woman like that may take only small shots at you in front of Brian or anyone else, but she’ll save the big guns for when you’re alone, expecting that you’ll then reveal your reaction in front of others. In that case, you’re going to look like the hostile one. It’s almost like two toddlers. It’s not the first one who hits that gets caught, it’s the one who retaliates.”

“Sounds like good advice even if it does compare us to toddlers.”

She chuckled. “So, uh, do you have plans for later tonight?”

I shook my head. “Nope, I sure don’t. Why, did you have something in mind?”

“Well, you know I’m trying to get myself out there. I need to move on from my divorce and start dating again. The thing is that until I can get my confidence up and feel good about myself again, I have no desire to date. But I also hate the thought of being alone. Although my ex-husband turned out to be a complete asshole, I miss being married. I want a relationship again.”

“How do you propose to do that?” I honestly didn’t have a clue and knew I’d fail miserably if she requested advice in that arena.

She shifted in her seat, looking uncomfortable. “Can I tell you something that you swear you’ll never tell another soul?”

“Of course you can, Catherine.”

“I’ve never been that sexually confident. I struggle with—Oh, this is humiliating.” She paused, swigging back the rest of her martini and signaling the waitress for another.

I waited her out, concentrating on my food, knowing she needed a minute. And evidently some more liquid courage, based on her slugging back half of her new glass.

“I struggle with feeling desirable and confident in the bedroom. My ex basically told me he was tired of having to do all the work. That my insecurities were his breaking point.”

Regarding her thoughtfully, I pictured Brian and the way he made me feel desirable merely by looking at me. “Catherine, your ex obviously didn’t understand what it is that a woman needs. He should’ve made you feel wanted and sexy. Some of that confidence can come naturally. But the bedroom should be the one place where you can let go of your insecurities instead of piling them on, especially with someone you love.”

“I know he was a selfish prick. But because he was also the last person I’ve been with sexually, it isn’t exactly inspiring me to get out there.”

“We need to figure out a plan. Let me think of someone I could possibly set you up with, or I could ask—”

“Actually, I have an idea already. I either need you to talk me out of it or go with me.”

“All right, let’s hear it.” I was intrigued and apprehensive all at once.

“I wouldn’t ask you except that I figure you’re pretty open when it comes to sexuality and won’t judge.”

I had definitely become more open since being with Brian. “I won’t judge, Catherine,” I whispered, looking around to ensure our privacy. Catherine had a high enough profile in her profession that I didn’t want to take any chances.

She picked up on it, too. “I’ll tell you in the car ride over. If you decide you don’t want to go with me, I’ll drop you by your place instead.”

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